Coast Guard Sector Boston Talking Trash

BOSTON – Coast Guard personnel from Sector Boston and the First District gave an environmental-protection presentation at the Wampatuck Elementary School in Scituate, Mass. and led a beach clean up today.

During the presentation, about 50 six-grade students learned about the harmful affects of trash in the marine environment through an educational slide show, hands-on demonstrations, and a video about â€œInkyâ€, a rare species of pigmy whale that nearly died after ingesting plastics.

Following a brainstorming session in which Petty Officer 3rd Class Aurea Vasquez posed the question â€œwhat can we do to help?,â€ the students, teachers, chaperones, Vasquez and other Coast Guard members descended on Egypt Beach in Scituate to pick up trash.

â€œWe really want to influence the kids to take pride in their community,â€ Vasquez said.

In addition to teaching about trash and how to protect the environment by not littering and by recycling, she said she hopes the children will share what they theyâ€™ve learned.

â€œAnd we want them to get excited and pass it on to their friends and their families,â€ she said.